The event convened officials from BRICS countries, who continued to exchange experiences and discuss issues aimed at strengthening and developing the institutional partnership of the BRICS countries.

The Federal Institute for Development of Vocational Education and Training was represented by:

• Irina Seliverstova, Head of the Center for Strategic Research and Information Analytical Projects;

• Olga Sukhanova, Advisor to the Rector.

The agenda included three sessions:

• Session I: Access, Retention and Success of Youth in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

• Session II: TVET and National Development.

• Session III: Innovations in TVET.

The session "Access, Retention and Success of Youth in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) " was moderated by Francisco Figueiredo de Souza, special advisor for international affairs at the Ministry of Education of Brazil and coordinator of the BRICS Education working group.

Dr. Souza emphasized the Alliance’s importance in establishing “a multilateral platform for the exchange of policy experiences and best practices, encouraging direct cooperation among TVET networks and institutions.” The session featured presentations by representatives from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Russia, South Africa, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. Representatives of the Russian Federation delivered the topic "Access, Retention, and Success of Young People in TVET: Russia's Experience." The report showcased Russia’s successful experience in developing TVET system, including achievements in scaling up the system, fostering partnerships between colleges and enterprises within the Federal Project "Professionalitet", and updating educational programmes to align with employer requirements.

Olga Sukhanova, Advisor to the Rector of the Federal Institute for Development of Vocational Education and Training, noted that Russia has accumulated many years of experience in the TVET: “Today, solutions in the field of training for the country's economy are systemic in nature and cover initiatives from vocational guidance for schoolchildren to adaptation and mentoring in the workplace. This comprehensive and multidimensional approach has aroused keen interest among our partners from the BRICS countries, who are facing similar challenges.”

Other questions such as the introduction of innovations in Russian secondary vocational education and key accomplishments in creating an inclusive educational environment were also highlighted.

The session "TVET and National Development" featured presentations by representatives from Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The presentation "TVET and National Development: Russia's Experience" showcased the results of an international study "Vocational Education and Training and Its Impact on the Development of BRICS Countries' Potential", conducted on Russia's initiative in 2024. Case examples and Russian statistical analysis demonstrated TVET's impact across several key dimensions:

1. The contribution of technical and vocational education to national human capital development.

2. TVET's role in helping BRICS countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

3. TVET’s support for technological advancement and innovation capacity.

4. The economic impact of TVET on national productivity and industrial sectors.

5. TVET's involvement in preserving cultural heritage and developing creative potential.

The research team from Russia suggested to conduct a second phase of this research in 2025 with participation from new BRICS members.

Irina Seliverstova, Head of the Centre for Strategic Research and Information and Analytical Studies, noted: “The study was an important step in assessing the importance of technical and vocational education and training not only for the five main BRICS members (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), but also for the entire community of BRICS countries. The collection of materials clearly demonstrates the positive impact of TVET in supporting the industrial sector, fostering innovation, achieving sustainable development goals, creating a healthy and tolerant society, preserving national cultural traditions and promoting a co-evolutionary economic model.”

During the "Innovations in TVET" session, delegation members participated in a panel discussion about implementation mechanisms for educational innovations across national systems.

BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance Seminar was held on June 3. Part 1 of the seminar was devoted to the role of Professional and Technical Education in the strategy of social integration and national development. In the 2nd part, the issues of employment of graduates of professional and technical education were discussed.
The second part presented Russia's successful experience in employing TVET graduates in the following areas:

• Studying the labour market and forecasting demand.

• Early and successful career guidance and professional orientation of schoolchildren and applicants.

• Partnership with employers.

• Supporting students when entering the labour market.

During the presentation, the results of the Federal Project "Professionalitet" in increasing the level of employment of TVET graduates were presented.

Since its creation in 2022, the BRICS-TCA has reaffirmed the central role of vocational education in national socio-economic development—particularly in a time of rapid changes. Marcelo Bregagnoli, Secretary for Vocational and Technical Education at Brazil’s Ministry of Education, emphasized this point in his remarks, calling the diversity within BRICS “a source of strength that enriches the spirit of collaboration and innovation that binds us.” “By sharing best practices and innovative experiences, we can collectively build more inclusive and sustainable pathways, aligned with both the present and future demands of the labour market,” he added.

Bregagnoli outlined three key challenges that should guide the Alliance moving forward, according to Brazil’s rotating presidency:

• ensuring high-quality education that fosters the social and economic inclusion of youth;

• reinforcing the importance of TVET for the socio-economic development of BRICS countries;

• and integrating new technologies and innovative practices into technical training programmes.

The BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance unites the efforts of member countries in developing vocational education systems, sharing experience in training professionals and expanding employment opportunities in the BRICS countries. In April, Russia handed over the chairmanship of the Alliance to Brazil. The Institute for Development of Vocational Education and Training implements key projects in the field of TVET on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.